Jason John Krejza, born on January 14, 1983, is a former Australian cricketer who gained attention for his impressive performance in Test cricket. While his career may have been short-lived, his debut innings figures of 8 for 215 during the 2008-09 tour of India cemented his name as one of the few bowlers to have taken eight or more wickets in an innings.
Krejza’s journey to the Test team was not without its challenges. Prior to his selection, he had a poor outing with the Australian touring team, giving up 199 runs in 31 overs. Despite this setback, he was chosen ahead of Stuart Clark for the deciding Test in Nagpur, where he delivered a remarkable debut performance that included 12 wickets for the game. While he did concede more runs than any other player in their debut Test, only Bob Massie ended their inaugural Test with better figures among Australian players.
However, Krejza’s success on the cricket field was not the only storyline surrounding his career. A year before his Test call-up, he faced personal struggles after being caught drink-driving and speeding, resulting in a seven-month suspension of his driving license. This incident led to Tasmania imposing its own punishment, suspending him from pre-season training and banning him from alcohol for the entire summer. Despite this setback, Krejza put in a solid performance during the Pura Cup season, taking 18 wickets at an average of 47.11 from seven games.
Krejza’s decision to transfer from New South Wales to Tasmania in 2006-07 proved to be a smart move for his career. With New South Wales boasting a queue of talented spinners, Krejza found greater opportunities in Tasmania. Although he initially found himself behind Xavier Doherty in the pecking order, he was given chances to prove himself in the Pura Cup, where he performed admirably.
Known for his ability to flight the ball and extract decent turn, Krejza’s debut season in New South Wales caught the attention of many. He dismissed the skilled Michael Bevan three times, an achievement that highlighted his skill as a spinner. While he did not have a first-class five-wicket haul at the time of his Test debut, he had proven his worth as a batsman with four first-class half-centuries.
Outside of cricket, Krejza has a passion for music. He enjoys singing and playing the guitar during his downtime. Additionally, his family history is also interesting, with his father hailing from Czechoslovakia and his mother originating from Poland.
Unfortunately, Krejza’s international career was short-lived, with his final Test appearance coming in 2008. Despite this, his impressive debut and overall contribution to the game have left a lasting impact. Although he may not be remembered as one of Australia’s greatest cricketers, his unique journey and undeniable talent have secured him a place in cricketing history.
